Argus Range Wilderness Trails

Panamint Springs, California

Located on the western side of the Panamint Valley, the Argus Range is a long, narrow range directly west of Death Valley National Park. Some 28 miles of the range crest have been protected within the wilderness, however, nowhere is the wilderness more than 5 miles wide. Dissected by numerous canyons and steep slopes, the area supports a creosote bush and cactus plant community at lower elevations, with pinyon and juniper woodlands near the range crest. A relict bighorn sheep herd existed here at one time, and some 18 additional sheep were reintroduced in 1988. Evidence of past native American cultural use consists of prehistoric stone tool flakes and rock shelters found in several locations. The area was traditionally used for spring and summer food gathering by Shoshone-Paiute bands. In addition, the area around Lookout Mountain-Maturango Peak was occasionally used for the collection of pinyon pine nuts.

Located on the western side of the Panamint Valley, the Argus Range is a long, narrow range directly west of Death Valley National Park. Some 28 miles of the range crest have been protected within the wilderness, however, nowhere is the wilderness more than 5 miles wide. Dissected by numerous canyons and steep slopes, the area supports a creosote bush and cactus plant community at lower elevations, with pinyon and juniper woodlands near the range crest. A relict bighorn sheep herd existed here at one time, and some 18 additional sheep were reintroduced in 1988. Evidence of past native American cultural use consists of prehistoric stone tool flakes and rock shelters found in several locations. The area was traditionally used for spring and summer food gathering by Shoshone-Paiute bands. In addition, the area around Lookout Mountain-Maturango Peak was occasionally used for the collection of pinyon pine nuts.